People v. Williams

Summary

The court held that excluding young-adult offenders sentenced under California’s One Strike law from youth offender parole hearings does not violate equal protection. Applying rational basis review, it concluded that the Legislature could rationally rely on the aggravated nature of One Strike offenses and the perceived recidivism risk of serious sex offenders. The court affirmed the Court of Appeal’s judgment and remanded for consideration of any ameliorative legislation enacted during the appeal.